ReThink Red Deer

City annouces environmental plan

City to develop environmental plan

The City of Red Deer will develop its first comprehensive Environmental Master Plan as a key step towards identifying, prioritizing and addressing Red Deer’s environmental issues.

City council approved to spend $200,000 within the 2010 operating budget on the planning document.

“We’re looking at an environmental master plan that will guide the city over the next 20 to 25 years,” said Environmental Services manager Tom Warder.

Warder said the city will look at a wide range of issues, including water and air quality, land resources and energy consumption.

The public will be asked to give input on concerns and priorities.

Extensive research will also be done on current corporate environmental initiatives and anticipated environmental regulatory requirements.

When it’s finished, the plan is expected to guide decisions on the design of major capital projects and infrastructure upgrades to anticipate future requirements.

The master plan didn’t receive unanimous approval.

Councillor Gail Parks voted against the plan because she said the city shouldn’t be spending so much during tougher economic times.

“The economic picture coming out of Ottawa is slow,” Parks said later. “Ultimately, we need that study but I thought it could wait.”

Parks said $40,000 of the budgeted amount will be tax-supported. The remainder would be utility funded through water, wastewater and waste management fees.

Overall, the Environmental Services Department has budgeted $54.7 million in total expenditures, $54.1 million in revenues, with a net tax levy of more than $600,000.

- Red Deer Advocate, Tuesday January 19, 2010

Posted in City Planning by: from Red Deer Advocate 2010/01/19 0 Comments